West Palm Beach Infant Brain Injury Lawyer

Infant Brain Injury Attorney: Two Kinds of Cases

In 2010, a Rhode Island newborn suffered traumatic infant brain damage following malpractice in a hospital nursery. He had some difficulty latching on for breast feeding, so a hospital pediatrician ordered that his breastfeeding attempts be supplemented with formula. That order was not followed by the nurses, and the baby became hypoglycemic with a critically low glucose level of five. Head studies showed brain damage due to hypoglycemia. Today, the boy is five years old and suffers from vision problems, a tactile sensory disorder, and developmental delays. An infant brain injury lawyer was able to help his family pursue damages and cover the cost of ongoing expenses.

An ongoing lawsuit filed in Flint, Michigan, claims that a Mundy Township daycare is responsible for severe injuries sustained by one of the children left in its care. Greg and Jennifer Henderson of Lennon are seeking more than $25,000 in damages after they claim their son received injuries consistent with “shaken baby syndrome” while under the supervision of employees at Honey Bear Child Care in December 2011.

Infant Brain Damage: Causes and Conditions

Infant brain damage (IBD) is a serious condition that affects millions of babies each year. IBD can be caused by a variety of factors, including oxygen deprivation, infant jaundice, physical trauma suffered during labor and delivery, and infections in the mother’s body. While most of these issues are identified and treated, negligence and malpractice often lead to IBD, particularly when a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional fails to diagnose or treat serious issues that arise during and after delivery. Attorneys specializing in cases of infant brain injury are able to sift through the specifics and help families reach the conclusions they need when thinking about going to trial.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the age group at greatest risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury is 0-4. IBD can cause a myriad of disorders, including cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, physical disabilities, and a host of medical issues that can last a lifetime. Although many cases of IBD result from falls or other simple accidents, malpractice and abuse remain prevalent contributors to infant brain trauma, and many cases result in settlements and lawsuits.

Hiring an Infant Brain Injury Attorney

When there is overwhelming evidence that a health care provider acted in a way that directly resulted it the cause of an infant’s brain damage, there is a good chance that, if sued, they will agree to settle the case rather than dragging it out in court, especially when they know the odds are against them winning. This is known as an infant brain damage settlement, and it’s meant to help parents or legal guardians by providing compensation for lifelong expenses associated with the infant’s care. It’s also a way for parents or legal guardians to recover damages for emotional anguish and stress that’s directly caused by the injury.

Factors that Influence Settlements in an IBD Lawsuit

How severe the brain damage is

The extent of the medical mistakes made

The estimation of lost earnings

Medical and therapy costs

Mental stress and anguish relating to the infant's condition

Home accommodation costs

If there is overwhelming evidence that a medical professional acted negligently during or after the delivery, there may be grounds for an IBD lawsuit. SBS often occurs due to abuse from babysitters, day care centers, nurses, or even family members. While it is often difficult to prove beyond a doubt that a defendant is responsible for SBS, civil cases can still result in beneficial verdicts for the parents of a child suffering from SBS related conditions.